Harbaugh: Alex Smith is our long-term quarterback

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrofootballtalk

San Francisco 49ers coach Harbaugh throws a pass as his teams warms-up before their NFL game against Pittsburgh Steelers in San Francisco Reuters

Early in Monday night’s game against the Steelers, Alex Smith missed a number of potential scoring opportunities. He wasn’t playing poorly, but the 49ers could have opened up the lead earlier.

It didn’t wind up mattering and Smith closed out the game strong, but I couldn’t have been the only viewer thinking: What could Jim Harbaugh do with another starting quarterback?

Jim Harbaugh is apparently not having these sort of thoughts. Asked Tuesday about Smith, the 49ers coach said he believes Smith is the 49ers quarterback of the future.

Smith is set to be a free agent after the year. There seems to be little doubt that the 49ers will retain him with an attractive offer. San Francisco also has Colin Kaepernick on the bench as a developmental prospect.

I don’t want to dismiss what Smith has done this year. He’s improved greatly under Harbaugh, but how much of that is coaching and how much of that is Smith?

It’s at least worth considering what Harbaugh could do with a quarterback that is more talented.

 

[DJT]

...not sure why this got its own thread...

 

[Pugz]

...why do you type like that?!...

 

[TTN2810]

Why shouldn't it get a thread?

I like the move. He's a great leader, and he might not have the best talent, but he has played good, and he's a good guy to lead a team.

 

[DJT]

...why do you type like that?!...

It puts an emphasis on it...

...(pause)

Also I know its a good move, I like Smith, I just think it was a no-braniner move.

 

[Elite]

It's not a no-brainer when you drafted a QB last season in the 2nd round

 

[elcheato]

Harbaugh is a miracle worker

 

[TTN2810]

It's not a no-brainer when you drafted a QB last season in the 2nd round

lol

 

[Elite]

lol

Why's that funny?

 

[DJT]

Eh its a no brainer now. Who cares who they drafted.

 

[NCSportsfan21]

Kaepernick needs a couple years time on the bench. After that, who knows he could be a something special. I wasn't really impressed with him from what I saw, but I've been wrong before.

But as far as Smith: I always believed in him. He wasn't a no 1 overall type QB, but he certainly wasn't a total bust. Glad to see he got competent coaching around him.

I say give him a 3 year extension and keep Kaepernick on the bench to develop.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

...not sure why this got its own thread...

... or we can just leave a bunch of subforums inactive for weeks at a time until a major acquisition or trade.....